Find & Apply For Program Manager Jobs in Pacific Grove, California

Company Overview Gateway Center of Monterey County is dedicated to empowering adults with Developmental Disabilities to live full, meaningful, and independent lives within their communities. We prioritize individualized, person-centered services that promote dignity, choice, and community inclusion for all our participants. Job Summary The Program Manager provides operational and programmatic leadership within Gateway Center's Day Programs, which include Medical Day, Senior Day, and Community Day Services. The Program Manager may have primary responsibility for one or more service areas while providing leadership, operational support, and coverage across Day Programs based on organizational and participant needs. The Program Manager is responsible for ensuring high-quality, person-centered services; effective staff leadership and supervision; regulatory and operational compliance; implementation of Individual Program Plans (IPP) and Individual Service Plans (ISP); accurate and timely documentation; appropriate staffing; program quality and continuous improvement. The position works collaboratively with Day Program leadership, clinical professionals, families, Regional Center, and other Gateway Center departments to ensure services promote individual choice, dignity, independence, community inclusion, safety, and meaningful outcomes. The Program Manager is expected to understand the distinct operational and support needs of Gateway Center's Day Program service areas and must be able to provide leadership across programs as assigned.

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Gateway Center seeks leaders who are deeply committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. The Program Manager is expected to model the organization's values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, transparency, and person-centered care. The successful Program Manager will embrace a leadership approach that values teamwork, open communication, shared problem-solving, and continuous improvement. They will actively build positive relationships with residents, families, employees, consultants, healthcare providers, regulatory agencies, and community partners while fostering an inclusive workplace culture where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. The Program Manager is expected to lead with integrity, humility, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and a genuine commitment to service. The successful candidate must possess the ability to build trust, navigate complex situations, foster collaboration across disciplines, and support a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous learning. Gateway Center seeks leaders who value transparency, embrace constructive feedback, communicate openly, and are committed to creating an environment where employees, residents, families, and community partners feel heard, respected, and supported.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership and oversight for the development and delivery of person-centered programming that promotes individual choice, independence, skill development, community inclusion, socialization, health and well-being, and meaningful outcomes. Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to assigned Program staff; establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for performance, conduct, documentation, attendance and quality of service. Lead regular staff meetings, identify training and workforce development needs, and partner with Day Program leadership and Human Resources to address staffing, performance, recruitment, retention, corrective action, and employee development priorities. Provide oversight to ensure IPP/ISP goals, participant assessments, Annual and Semi-Annual reviews, progress reporting, and related documentation are implemented and completed accurately, timely, and consistent with person-centered planning requirements. Monitor participant records, service documentation, attendance, progress notes, reports, and other required records to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements. Coordinate with clinical professionals, families, service coordinators, and other members of the individual's support team to ensure appropriate behavioral, medical, therapeutic, rehabilitation, and community-based supports are identified and effectively implemented. Oversee daily program operations and ensure assigned services are delivered in accordance with approved Program Designs, Gateway Center policies and procedures, applicable Title 17 and Title 22 requirements, DDS and Regional Center requirements, HCBS Final Rule standards, and other applicable regulatory requirements. Serve as an advocate for program participants and promote their rights, dignity, independence, choices, and overall well-being. Monitor staffing levels, schedules, participant-to-staff ratios, call-offs, coverage, and assignments to ensure safe, compliant and effective program operations and continuity of services. Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, healthcare and service providers, businesses, funding partners, and other community resources that expand opportunities, support, inclusion, and meaningful experience for individuals served. Oversee referral, intake, admission, and transition process for prospective participants, ensuring program capacity, individual needs, staffing requirements, service authorization, and program appropriateness are appropriately evaluated and coordinated. Conduct regular monthly staff meetings to communicate program updates, expectations, participant needs, and operational priorities. Collaborate across Medical Day, Senior Day, and Community Day Services to support consistent practices, staffing flexibility, shared resources, participant opportunities, and coordinated service delivery; provide leadership and operational support across Day Programs as assigned based on organizational needs. Represent Gateway Center professionally in meetings and presentations with Regional Center personnel, families, community partners, referral sources, funding agencies, and other stakeholders. Identify staff training needs and coordinate or provide training on topics including Person-Centered Thinking (PCP), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) requirements, SMART objectives, ISP development, documentation, and participant rights. Monitor program needs, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations to leadership regarding programming, staffing, resources, and services. Manage assigned program budgets and resources responsibility; monitor expenditures, staff utilization, and operational needs and make recommendations to support program quality, efficiency, and financial sustainability. Maintain effective communication with individuals served, families, staff, service providers, and other professionals involved in supporting program participants. Ensure incidents, mandated reports, regulatory notifications, and other reportable events are identified, documented, escalated, and reported within required timelines; participant in follow-up, corrective action, and prevention activities as appropriate. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

Must be at least 21 years of age. Valid California Driver's License and acceptable DMV driving record. Successful completion of required fingerprinting and criminal background clearance through the California Department of Justice, as applicable. Current CPR and First Aid certification. Current Mandated Reporter certification. Completion of required TB screening and health clearance. Compliance with applicable organizational vaccination and health-screening requirements. Ability to maintain all required certifications and clearances throughout employment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Must be 21 years of age. Bachelor's degree in human services, social services, psychology, rehabilitation, healthcare administration, nonprofit management or related field preferred. Relevant education, specialized training, and significant related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Minimum three years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or within a comparable human services environment. Minimum two years of experience in a supervisory or management role. Experience with ISP development, person-centered planning, community \ integration, or similar human services programs preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Working knowledge of developmental disabilities and the principles of person-centered service delivery. Knowledge of quality program services, community integration, advocacy, and supporting individuals in developing greater independence. Knowledge of administrative practices, budgeting, program development, documentation, and quality assurance. Ability to interpret and implement Individual Service Plans and other individualized support strategies. Strong leadership, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and effectively manage a fast-paced program environment. Ability to prepare professional reports, presentations, correspondence, and program documentation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals served, families, staff, consultants, healthcare providers, community partners, and governmental agencies. Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with community organizations and identify new opportunities for program participants. Ability to exercise sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in emergency, behavioral, medical, and other high-stress situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive participant and organizational information. Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Proficiency with standard office technology, electronic documentation systems, email, Microsoft Office, and other software used to manage program operations preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of developmental disabilities and the principles of person-centered services. Knowledge of health and safety practices, community resources, care planning, and services available to individuals and their families. Demonstrated ability to assess individual needs and coordinate appropriate services and supports. Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Ability to maintain accurate written and oral reports and documentation. Ability to use sound judgment in emergency or challenging situations and work effectively with individuals, families, staff, and community partners. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must possess the physical, mental, and emotional stamina necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Must possess the mental acuity necessary to collect and interpret information, evaluate situations, identify problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, exercise sound judgment, and make appropriate decisions. Ability to work effectively and professionally in stressful or rapidly changing situations. Ability to respond appropriately to situations involving individuals with physical, medical, behavioral, or other support needs while maintaining participant safety and dignity. Vision is sufficient to read handwritten and printed materials and information displayed on computer screens and other office equipment. Hearing sufficient to communicate effectively in person and by telephone in typical workplace environments. Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, bend, st Join us in making a meaningful difference! This paid position offers an inspiring environment where your leadership can transform lives through innovative programs and heartfelt community engagement. If you're passionate about fostering inclusion and empowering others through collaboration—apply now!

Pay:

$73,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible spending account Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person